Need a super easy appetizer for your next holiday gathering? You will definitely want to try these bite-sized crispy phyllo cups full of melty brie cheese topped with sweet dark cherries. Maple syrup gives a depth of flavor and a new twist to the flavor. No maple syrup and don't want to buy a bottle for just one recipe? Substitute honey. Honey is a little sweeter than maple syrup, but in the quantity we are using, that doesn't matter. Substitute with the same amount of honey. Brown sugar is another possible substitution. Brown sugar is a little less sweet than maple syrup so you will need to increase the amount to 1/4 cup OR 4 tablespoons. Just sprinkle over the top of each cup. Corn syrup on the shelf? Yes, that works but it only makes the cherries sweeter without adding ... [Read More]
Quick and easy
Creamy Classic Eggnog
Holidays are made special for several reasons. One reason is that we add a little "extra something" to our lives. Food that is prepared just for that meal as in Thanksgiving. Or food that is prepared for the entire holiday season. Eggnog is so easy to make that it could be easily available all year around. But then it wouldn't be special! Eggnog has been around for centuries. Milk, eggs and spices were mainly available to landowners. Only they had the resources to keep cows and chickens and to buy imported spices. Monks recorded the first recipes, and wealthy landowners were quick to adopt the habit of toasting one another's good health and continued prosperity with the unique drink served in small wooden cups called noggins. Upstart English colonials brought livestock with them ... [Read More]
Bacon and Three Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Bacon and Three Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers are a quick and easy appetizer for any occasion. A plate full of this colorful deliciousness turns the occasion into instant party! The hardest part of this easy dish is waiting five minutes for the cheese to turn golden underneath the broiler. Party in less than fifteen minutes!! To make things go even faster, use precooked bacon instead of cooking your own. I always have a package of bacon in the freezer, but sometimes we need something faster than the bacon would thaw and then cook. Precooked bacon to the rescue. You can cut the precooked and packaged bacon slices into small bits. OR you can open a package of precooked bacon crumbles. I'm talking the real deal bacon -- no imitation meat or bacon flavor or anything like that. One ... [Read More]
Grilled Chicken with Lime Marinade
A simple lime marinade makes this a quick and versatile grilled chicken recipe that consistently delivers. To save time, you can double or triple this marinade recipe and keep it in a tightly closed jar in the refrigerator. Use it for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Do NOT reuse marinade, however. Once it has had meat in it, discard it. Do not use it again. The lime and seasoning flavors go with just about anything else you want to serve, Try grilled garden vegetables, light and leafy salads, a coleslaw, or more substantial sides, such as brown rice, or a potato or pasta salad. Grilled Chicken with Lime Marinade Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 25 mins Quick and easy marinade to lift grilled chicken out of the ... [Read More]
Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans
Green Beans are a favorite at our house. This elegant version elevates basic green beans to a whole new level. This dish is great for entertaining because it looks and tastes like you spent a lot more time on it than you actually did. Roasting the green beans assures they will be crisp tender and full of robust flavor. As an added bonus, the extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese greatly enhances the natural appeal of this classic side. Green Beans are actually the seed pod of the common bean plant — though I’m not really sure that fact makes them taste better! Names vary according to their characteristics of growth -- string beans, snap beans, pole beans, bush beans or French beans. Green beans are low in calories and carbs but high in nutritional value. They ... [Read More]
Fritatta with Arugula, Portabello and Feta
A fritatta is cooked slowly over low heat. Omelets are cooked quickly over higher heat with filling placed in the middle of the omelet and folded before serving hot from the stove. Fritattas are often served at room temperature, making them perfect to make ahead for brunches or larger groups. A fritatta is similar to crustless quiche which makes it perfect for low carb dining or “don’t want to make a crust” meals. They are often prepared in well-seasoned cast iron skillets but you can also use a standard 10” non-stick skillet . This savory stovetop fritatta is a delicious Mediterranean combination, easy to make and versatile. The most difficult part is deciding whether you will enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. Fritatta with Arugula, Portabello and Feta ... [Read More]
